The Picture of Dorian Gray · Chapter
Chapter II explained
Dorian Gray sees his completed portrait for the first time and becomes acutely aware of his own beauty.
What happens
Dorian Gray sees his completed portrait for the first time and becomes acutely aware of his own beauty. Influenced by Lord Henry's hedonistic philosophy, he is struck by the tragedy of aging and wishes the portrait would age instead of him. Lord Henry continues to expound his views on influence, self-development, and a new Hedonism, deeply unsettling and fascinating Dorian.
Themes in this chapter
Aestheticism and Morality
Dorian's revelation of his own beauty and Lord Henry's praise of youth highlight the aesthetic ideal, while the moral implications of living solely for beauty are introduced.
Influence and Corruption
Lord Henry's persuasive speech on influence being immoral and his hedonistic ideas begin to corrupt Dorian's innocent perspective.
Youth and Aging
Dorian's fear of aging and his wish for the portrait to grow old instead of him centralize the theme of youth's fleeting nature.
Characters to notice
- Dorian Gray
Sees his portrait and experiences a revelation of his own beauty; becomes obsessed with youth and fears aging; wishes the portrait would age instead of him.
- Lord Henry Wotton
Expounds his hedonistic philosophy, arguing that influence is immoral and that the aim of life is self-development; warns Dorian about the brevity of youth.
- Basil Hallward
Finishes the portrait and is disturbed by Dorian's sudden change in demeanor; tries to protect Dorian from Lord Henry's influence.
Key passages
“If it were only the other way! If it were I who was to be always young, and the picture that was to grow old! For that—for that—I would give everything! Yes, there is nothing in the whole world I would not give! I would give my soul for that!”
Dorian wishes that he could remain forever young while the portrait ages instead, and declares he would sacrifice anything, even his soul, for that to happen.
This moment marks the pivotal wish that sets the supernatural plot in motion.
“Because to influence a person is to give him one's own soul. He does not think his natural thoughts, or burn with his natural passions. His virtues are not real to him. His sins, if there are such things as sins, are borrowed.”
Lord Henry argues that influencing someone means imposing your own soul on them, making their thoughts and passions inauthentic.
This speech encapsulates Lord Henry's philosophy and foreshadows his corrupting influence on Dorian.
“The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it. Resist it, and your soul grows sick with longing for the things it has forbidden to itself, with desire for what its monstrous laws have made monstrous and unlawful.”
Lord Henry claims that resisting temptation only makes the soul sick, and that yielding is the true path to purification.
This hedonistic principle becomes a guiding force for Dorian's later actions.